WHEREAS, it is UC Irvine’s duty to maintain the values of “respect, intellectual curiosity, integrity, commitment, and empathy” which includes the commitment to “learning, teaching, creativity, and research,” as well as the promotion of human rights, equality, and dignity for all people without distinction; and

WHEREAS, part of this duty is to maintain integrity, in telling the truth and striving to “earn the trust of those around us,” in acting with “compassion and sensitivity”; and

WHEREAS, UC Irvine should foster an environment of peace and promotion of global welfare; and

WHEREAS, our institution, that values holistic and multi-faceted approaches to complex issues must fairly represent the diverse interests and views of all students at UC Irvine in order to foster dialogue, learning, and an inclusive campus environment; and

WHEREAS, the ASUCI constitution states that students shall not be restricted in their freedom of investigation and expression; and

WHEREAS, the ASUCI constitution also states that students shall be free to choose their associates without fear or consequence; and 

WHEREAS, to maintain a safe and inclusive campus environment, tensions between students related to foreign conflicts including but not limited to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, should be managed in a healthy and collaborative manner rather than be exacerbated; and

WHEREAS, students have a legacy of standing against such oppression and injustice at UC Irvine and across the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative for students to stand unequivocally against such and all forms of racism and bigotry globally and on campus, including but not limited to Islamaphobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sexism; and 

WHEREAS, a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be created through mutual respect and recognition, of what are multiple narratives; and

WHEREAS, Palestinians and Israelis willing to reach out to each other peacefully deserve our support; and

WHEREAS, collaboration between Palestinians and Israelis, which could lay the foundation for a sustainable peace; and

WHEREAS, strengthening the Palestinian economy and encouraging economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians can help lay the necessary foundation for peace to ensue; and

LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the ASUCI of the University of California, Irvine shall support campaigns which strengthen education, mutual respect and actively work to diffuse tensions between students related to foreign conflicts that should be managed in a healthy and collaborative manner; and

LET IT BE RESOLVED, that ASUCI will endeavor to strengthen existing interfaith initiatives to promote good relations between groups on campus; and 

LET IT BE RESOLVED, that ASUCI affirm its strong opposition to Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all forms of racism and discrimination.

LET IT BE RESOLVED, that ASUCI supports national self-determination, recognizing that there are multiple narratives of national liberation within the Middle East; and

LET IT BE RESOLVED, that investment creates jobs and strengthens the economic foundation of a future Palestinian state, that because the strengthening of the Palestinian economy and encouraging economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians can help lay the necessary foundation for peace to ensue, that we the ASUCI support this peaceful endeavor; and 

LET IT FINALLY BE RESOLVED, that we, the students, call upon our university to associate itself with groups that promote peace, by continuing to support groups that promote the human rights of Palestinians and Israelis, and a peaceful solution for two peoples.

Legislation passes 7-0-6. YEAs: Alvin Phan, Nick Harris, Jordan Edmunds, Cyrus Lin, Tin Hong, Lauren Kerner, James Louie

ABSTAINS: John Salazar, Naty Rico, Khaalidah Sidney, Negar Fatahi, Jennifer Lima, Negin Fatahi.